Mr Grimm
04-06-2009, 03:52 PM
As a fairly dedicated zombie, I've picked up on some hints here and there that make playing as a zombie a fun and rewarding experience. For the zombies, that is. Survivors will likely hate to see you coming.
Here they are. I'll edit further if I think of more.
1.) Avoid tunnelvision when in pursuit of prey. If an easier target comes into focus, switch and go after them. No need to pursue that AK-wielder when there's an inattentive PPK wielder with his back turned to you.
2.) Don't mindlessly rush a survivor, no matter how poorly armed they are. A PPK can still take you out. Weave back and forth. Crouch randomly. Don't jump, at least not rapidly, however, as this steals your stride. You'll eventually come to a complete stop. Besides that, you are more susceptible to the ever-present knockback while in the air. Don't pit one of the zombie's glaring weaknesses against one of the survivor's best strengths.
3.) A cornered survivor will naturally aim for the head. Make it a hard target. Strafe around them. Crouch. By the time most survivors can adapt their aim to a suddenly-crouched zombie, they're food.
4.) Think like a survivor. Sure your heart's stopped, and you're a mindless automaton driven by instinctive hunger, but you still must put yourself into the survivors' shoes. If YOU were going to walk through that door, which way would YOU look first, to check for an ambush? Chances are, your instincts are similar to potential prey.
5.) Survivors, as a generalization, do not learn quickly. The same ambush spot will work several times over, straight in a row. Failing that, they will undoubtedly work a few rounds later.
6.) Know where the best weapons are. Spectate a couple of rounds, learn the lay of the land and the best weapon points, then go hide them. Better yet, hide them, AND yourself nearby. While they're scratching their heads over where the weapon went, you'll be halfway through your meal.
7.) As a sort of footnote to #4, think around corners. If you were a survivor, thinking about if HE was a zombie, where do you think he would expect you to be? Don't be there. Be somewhere else. Somewhere close. Somewhere potentially nom-worthy. If he's expecting you to be around a corner waiting for him to turn, swoop out a few seconds early and dash like mad for him.
8.) Greed is your friend. Most survivors will be far more likely to have the mindset of "There's an M4, and there's a zombie. I'm sure I can get the M4 then shoot the zombie before he catches up" -- Prove him wrong. But be inventive. Don't just try to beat him to the punch. While his back is turned, pull a ninja and vanish. Be out of his sight but nearby by the time he's ready to blow your head off. He'll think you fled -- Especially on ZPS_ maps where lives are a factor.
9.) You probably know the best barricade spots. Use that to your advantage. There's nothing more fun than a popular barricade room with a few dark corners. Heh.
10.) Don't be afraid to get killed, ESPECIALLY -- and I cannot stress this enough -- on ZPO maps. I don't mean mindlessly rush them, but don't be afraid to take one for the team, especially if it puts a fellow zombie into the killing position. I couldn't count the number of times I've died while acting as a distraction while Whitey gives them a friendly bearhug from the other side.
11.) Teamtalk is also your friend. Survivors only get to see what you say to everyone. What you say to everyone does not necessarily have to match what you say only to your team -- Suggest a route to your zombie friends on public chat, then switch to team chat and tell them where you're REALLY going.
Edit: 12.) Know the weaponry used against you. USP: 15 shots. Glocks: 17 shots. PPK: 7 shots. Rifles: 30 shots. Remmy: 6 shots. Winchester: 1 or 2 shots. Shorty: 3 shots. Magnum: 6 shots. Learn to recognize the way they look and the sound they make. Bear in mind the amount left in the survivor's weapon. If they seem to have plenty of ammo, and you're down to 30 HP or so, flee. If they're reaching the end of their clip and you have >100 HP remaining, feel free to continue the pursuit. Be aware of backup weapons however.
Feel free to submit your own or comment on mine.
Here they are. I'll edit further if I think of more.
1.) Avoid tunnelvision when in pursuit of prey. If an easier target comes into focus, switch and go after them. No need to pursue that AK-wielder when there's an inattentive PPK wielder with his back turned to you.
2.) Don't mindlessly rush a survivor, no matter how poorly armed they are. A PPK can still take you out. Weave back and forth. Crouch randomly. Don't jump, at least not rapidly, however, as this steals your stride. You'll eventually come to a complete stop. Besides that, you are more susceptible to the ever-present knockback while in the air. Don't pit one of the zombie's glaring weaknesses against one of the survivor's best strengths.
3.) A cornered survivor will naturally aim for the head. Make it a hard target. Strafe around them. Crouch. By the time most survivors can adapt their aim to a suddenly-crouched zombie, they're food.
4.) Think like a survivor. Sure your heart's stopped, and you're a mindless automaton driven by instinctive hunger, but you still must put yourself into the survivors' shoes. If YOU were going to walk through that door, which way would YOU look first, to check for an ambush? Chances are, your instincts are similar to potential prey.
5.) Survivors, as a generalization, do not learn quickly. The same ambush spot will work several times over, straight in a row. Failing that, they will undoubtedly work a few rounds later.
6.) Know where the best weapons are. Spectate a couple of rounds, learn the lay of the land and the best weapon points, then go hide them. Better yet, hide them, AND yourself nearby. While they're scratching their heads over where the weapon went, you'll be halfway through your meal.
7.) As a sort of footnote to #4, think around corners. If you were a survivor, thinking about if HE was a zombie, where do you think he would expect you to be? Don't be there. Be somewhere else. Somewhere close. Somewhere potentially nom-worthy. If he's expecting you to be around a corner waiting for him to turn, swoop out a few seconds early and dash like mad for him.
8.) Greed is your friend. Most survivors will be far more likely to have the mindset of "There's an M4, and there's a zombie. I'm sure I can get the M4 then shoot the zombie before he catches up" -- Prove him wrong. But be inventive. Don't just try to beat him to the punch. While his back is turned, pull a ninja and vanish. Be out of his sight but nearby by the time he's ready to blow your head off. He'll think you fled -- Especially on ZPS_ maps where lives are a factor.
9.) You probably know the best barricade spots. Use that to your advantage. There's nothing more fun than a popular barricade room with a few dark corners. Heh.
10.) Don't be afraid to get killed, ESPECIALLY -- and I cannot stress this enough -- on ZPO maps. I don't mean mindlessly rush them, but don't be afraid to take one for the team, especially if it puts a fellow zombie into the killing position. I couldn't count the number of times I've died while acting as a distraction while Whitey gives them a friendly bearhug from the other side.
11.) Teamtalk is also your friend. Survivors only get to see what you say to everyone. What you say to everyone does not necessarily have to match what you say only to your team -- Suggest a route to your zombie friends on public chat, then switch to team chat and tell them where you're REALLY going.
Edit: 12.) Know the weaponry used against you. USP: 15 shots. Glocks: 17 shots. PPK: 7 shots. Rifles: 30 shots. Remmy: 6 shots. Winchester: 1 or 2 shots. Shorty: 3 shots. Magnum: 6 shots. Learn to recognize the way they look and the sound they make. Bear in mind the amount left in the survivor's weapon. If they seem to have plenty of ammo, and you're down to 30 HP or so, flee. If they're reaching the end of their clip and you have >100 HP remaining, feel free to continue the pursuit. Be aware of backup weapons however.
Feel free to submit your own or comment on mine.